Dropkick Murphys Ken Casey: “It’s Beyond Music. It’s Community and Family”

Dropkick Murphys are coming to the Quad Cities on March 5, and lead singer Ken Casey is getting ready to hit the road again.  In fact, when we called him, he had to "hide" from members of his band who were in rehearsal.

Yes, bands that have been doing it for 30 years still rehearse before going on tour.  You can listen below as I was able to talk with Ken about 30 years of Dropkick, fan moments, and the potential return of one of the original members.

Ken Is Excited For The Tour & More

I asked Ken if it's an exciting week for him.  "The week leading up to a tour is always a mix of excitement and running around like a chicken with its head cut off.  You'd think after 30 years I'd have figured it out."

Then he realized I was talking about Sunday.  Ken is Boston through and through and, of course, will be glued to the game.

From Punk Rock To Irish Punk Rock

The first couple of Dropkick Murphys' albums are more straightforward punk rock.  But then they embraced their Irish and created something new.

"The band started on a bet on 3 weeks' notice.  Even in the early days, songs like 'Barroom Hero', people would say, 'I hear Irish music in that'.  And I'd say yeah, that's one of our biggest influences," said Ken.

Ken talked about how that was always there, but they were just a 4 piece punk band to start.  Then, by "Sing Loud, Sing Proud," they were able to grow into a 7-piece and added more of those elements, like bagpipes.

Is One Of The Old Members of Dropkick Murphys Coming Back?

The stage fills up when Dropkick Murphys are playing a show.  But, for the last 4 years, they've been missing co-lead vocalist Al Barr.  Al has been on hiatus, taking care of his family, including his ailing mother.

But on the new Dropkick Murphys album, For The People, Al is featured on one of the songs.  I asked Ken if this was a one-off or if he could be heard and seen more in the future.  "This was the first album we had recorded back in the Boston area (since Al went on hiatus), where we could have Al join us.  We appreciated having him.  He appreciated being there.  And more importantly, the fans appreciated having him on the album.  Can't say where it goes from there, though, going forward."

Dropkick Murphys Live In The Quad Cities at The Rust Belt on March 5

I also talked with Ken about the setlist...which he said, "Great...it's funny we just finished practice, and you dust off all these songs."  I think the start of that was going to be "great question".  I'll believe that.

He brought up some special fan moments, including the spreading of a fan's ashes while at a show, which Ken said, "This is beyond music.  It's about community and family."  Which led me to get emotional talking about being at a Dropkick Murphys show one month after 9/11 and seeing the people come together with "Amazing Grace".

If you have seen Dropkick Murphys before, you know what to expect and why you shouldn't miss it.  If you have never seen them, don't wait.  It's a fun and special night with some Irish Punks.  You can get your tickets right here and listen to the full interview below.